Plestiodon marginatus Japanese name: オキナワトカゲChinese name: 沖繩石龍子English name: Okinawa SkinkOrigin: Okinawa Islands, Yoronjima, Okinoerabujima The Okinawa Skink reaches a total length of about 15–19 cm and is distributed in the Okinawa Islands as well as on Yoronjima and Okinoerabujima in the Amami Islands. It mainly inhabits coastal forests and grasslands, in contrast to Barbour’s Skink… Continue reading Okinawa Skink
Tag: Kumejima
Okinawa Short-Legged Skink
Ateuchosaurus okinavensis Japanese name: オキナワヒメトカゲChinese name: 沖繩光蜥English name: Okinawa Short-Legged SkinkOrigin: Okinawa Islands The genus Ateuchosaurus is characterized by very short limbs and currently includes three species: The Okinawa Short-Legged Skink reaches a total length of about 10–13 cm and is often active under forest leaf litter, making it difficult to observe. On Okinawajima, it… Continue reading Okinawa Short-Legged Skink
Kawamura’s Rice Field Frog
Fejervarya kawamurai Japanese name: ヌマガエルChinese name: 川村氏澤蛙、川村陸蛙English name: Kawamura’s Rice Field FrogOrigin: Western Honshu (central region and westward), Shikoku, Kyushu, and some nearby islands in Japan; several islands of the Amami Islands (except Yoronjima) and Okinawa Islands (some islands); parts of China Kawamura’s Rice Field Frog is a Fejervarya species widely distributed in western Japan,… Continue reading Kawamura’s Rice Field Frog
Barbour’s Skink
Plestiodon barbouri Japanese name: バーバートカゲChinese name: 巴氏石龍子English name: Barbour’s SkinkOrigin: Okinawa Islands, Amami Islands The Barbour’s Skink is a medium-sized lizard found in the Okinawa and Amami Islands. Its specific name honors American herpetologist Thomas Barbour. Juveniles are dark brown with five golden longitudinal stripes along the sides of the body, and their tails are… Continue reading Barbour’s Skink
Okinawa Giant Stag Beetle
Serrognathus titanus okinawanus Japanese name: オキナワヒラタクワガタChinese name: 沖繩扁鍬形蟲English name: Okinawa Giant Stag BeetleOrigin: Okinawajima, Iheyajima, Iejima, Kourijima, Minnajima, Sesokojima, Hamahigajima, Tsukenjima, Tokashikijima, Zamamijima, Akajima, Gerumajima, Kumejima The giant stag beetle Dorcus titanus is widely distributed across Korea, Japan, Taiwan, China, and Southeast Asia, with 12 subspecies recorded in Japan. The Okinawa giant stag beetle is… Continue reading Okinawa Giant Stag Beetle
Okinawa needlewood tree
Schima wallichii ssp. Japanese name: イジュChinese name: 西南木荷、紅木荷English name: Okinawa needlewood treeOrigin: This species is widely distributed in Southeast Asia. In Japan, it is found in the Ryukyu Islands and the Ogasawara Islands. Schima wallichii is distributed mainly in the Ogasawara and Ryukyu Islands in Japan. The populations in these two regions differ slightly in appearance,… Continue reading Okinawa needlewood tree
Halcyon Giant Centipede
Scolopendra alcyona Japanese name: リュウジンオオムカデChinese name: 琉神蜈蚣、青龍蜈蚣（TW）English name: Halcyon Giant CentipedeOrigin: Northern Okinawajima, Ishigakijima, Iriomotejima, Kumejima, Tokashikijima, Taiwan This species was described as new in April 2021 ( Reference ), and it is the third known amphibious centipede species in the world. It inhabits stream environments and is known to dive into the water when… Continue reading Halcyon Giant Centipede
Kumejima Geothelphusa Freshwater Crab
Geothelphusa kumejima Japanese name: クメジマオオサワガニChinese name: 久米澤蟹English name: Kumejima Geothelphusa Freshwater CrabOrigin: Kumejima Geothelphusa kumejima is a freshwater crab endemic to Kumejima. Its body color often shows a purplish tint.
Ryukyu black-breasted leaf turtle
Geoemyda japonica Japanese name: リュウキュウヤマガメChinese name: 琉球黑胸葉龜English name: Ryukyu black-breasted leaf turtleOrigin: Northern Okinawajima, Kumejima, Tokashikijima The Ryukyu black-breasted leaf turtle is closely related to the turtle species Geoemyda spengleri, which is distributed in China and Vietnam. It was once considered a subspecies of G. spengleri but was recognized as a distinct species in 1992.… Continue reading Ryukyu black-breasted leaf turtle
Okinawa Tree Frog
Zhangixalus viridis Japanese name: オキナワアオガエルChinese name: 沖繩樹蛙English name: Okinawa Tree FrogOrigin: Okinawajima, Iheyajima, Kumejima From November to May, the breeding calls of the Okinawa Tree Frog can often be heard in the Yambaru areas. Males have yellow bellies, while females have white bellies and are significantly larger in size, making it relatively easy to distinguish… Continue reading Okinawa Tree Frog